Peas in a Pod
Gregor Johann Mendel
(1822-1884) was an Austrian monk famous for his seminal work in genetics.
He uncovered a series of laws that govern how genes are transmitted. Mendel
made these discoveries with the assistance of the common garden pea. He
repeatedly crossed varieties of pea plants in an effort to observe how
specific genetic traits, e.g., height, color, seed shape, etc., were
imparted to ensuing generations. Out of these observations arose the laws
that became the basis of modern hereditary theory.
Peas are legumes, i.e.,
plants with seed pods. Originating in Asia they have been part of man’s
diet for thousands of years. The most common pea is the garden pea, also
known as the English pea. They must be removed from their pods before
consumption. Snow peas and sugar snap peas however, are eaten pod and all.
Ninety-five percent of all
garden peas are sold canned or frozen. April, May and June are usually the
only months that they are available fresh. Make every effort to find them.
If you’ve never had fresh peas, straight from the pod, you’re in for a
treat. They’re sweet and delicious and I think taste best uncooked. Raw
fresh peas make a great addition to salads as well as being a nutritious,
low-fat, snack. When fresh peas are not available go with the frozen but
never the canned. Canned peas taste dreadful and it boggles my mind that
there are so many people willing to eat them.
Choose peas with firm,
bright green pods free of blemishes or yellow hues. Use them as soon as
possible and if not, refrigerate them immediately. The natural sugar in
peas deteriorates quickly. Do not shell or wash them until you are ready to
use them. Trim the ends of snow pea pods and remove the string along the
edge of sugar snap pea pods before use. Peas are a good source of
potassium, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, B, and C.
Peas cook quickly and
overcooking will result in loss of flavor. Garden peas are best sautéed in
some butter with salt and pepper. They work well in rice pilafs, pasta
dishes, soups and stews. Add them toward the end of cooking. Snow peas
work best in stir fries and Asian dishes. Sugar snap peas are great raw but
can also be sautéed in butter.
One of my favorite things
to do with garden peas is to make a pea purée. Think of mashed potatoes
only with peas instead.
PEA PURÉE
1 lb. of shelled fresh peas
or 1 lb. frozen peas
1 cup chicken stock
salt and white pepper to
taste
1 heaping tablespoon honey
Boil the peas in the
chicken stock with some salt and pepper. If the peas are frozen boil them
according to the package instructions. If they are fresh they will take
anywhere from one to five minutes depending on their maturity. I would
sample them every minute until they are soft but not overcooked. With a
slotted spoon, transfer the peas from the pot to a blender with very little
of the chicken stock. You want just enough fluid to get the blender going
and no more or the purée will turn out watery. Add the honey and begin
pureeing the peas in the blender. Add spoonfuls of the stock if more fluid
is needed. If it ends up watery you can cook the purée over low heat to
evaporate the excess fluid. Stop the blender periodically and taste for
additional salt or pepper.
Pea purée can serve as a
garnish, a side dish, or as a spread on crackers or vegetable sticks. Use
it as a bed upon which the main item in your entrée can rest. For example,
sauté some scallops and place them on a pool of the pea purée.
ASIAN STYLE SNOW PEAS
1 lb. snow peas, trimmed
2 teaspoons sesame seeds,
toasted
1 red bell pepper,
julienned
1 yellow pepper, julienned
2 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons sesame oil
Pepper to taste
Boil the snow peas in
salted water for 15 seconds and then immediately submerge them in ice
water. Toast the sesame seeds in a skillet over medium heat just for a
minute or so until they brown and give off a nutty essence. Mix the peas,
peppers, scallions, sesame seeds and soy sauce in a large bowl. Sauté the
vegetable mixture in the sesame oil for 2-3 minutes or until the peppers are
soft. Season with pepper and additional soy sauce if need be.
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